The minimum education and training required to be a police officer varies among individual departments and agencies. The requirements also depend on the rank or position that an applicant seeks. In general, though, police officers have completed at least a high school education and have undergone extensive training in a police academy dedicated to preparing new charges for the life of a cop.

Education

In most local and state police departments, a high school degree or equivalent fulfills the education minimum for joining the force. However, a college degree can benefit a candidate, and a minority of agencies requires a two-year or four-year college degree. At the federal level, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's police officers, as well as its special agents, must own a four-year college degree. A level of higher education in a police-related discipline such as criminal justice helps officers gain promotions and earn higher salaries after they are on the force.

Training

Police officer candidates are not required to have received training for the job if they are applying for an entry-level position. The training takes place after they are hired when they are sent to a police academy. Either academies are agency academies, which provide both basic police training and training that is specific to the agency, or they are regional or state academies, which train officers from several different jurisdictions. Training covers field-training topics, such as first aid, driving and firearms, and classroom topics, such as relevant laws and police ethics.

Other Qualifications

In addition to education requirements, candidates for police officer jobs must meet a range of other minimum standards. These differ among agencies, but the prevailing basic standards include that applicants are United States citizens, 21-years-old, own a driver's license, pass a physical and pass a background check. The physical requirements can extend beyond a simple medical exam to meeting basic physical fitness qualifications, such as running a set distance within a set period. Police agencies often require applicants to pass a drug test.

Continuing Education and Training

Education and training requirements do not stop for police officers after they join the force. Ongoing classroom, fitness and field training requirements are common among agencies for current officers. The requirements serve to ensure that officers are informed of the latest developments in their field and kept updated with changes ranging from new laws to new technology. Officers are not required to pursue new formal education pursuits as a rule. However, many choose to extend their college education to improve their skills for work and to strengthen their prospects for advancement.

About the Author

Tom Gresham is a freelance writer and public relations specialist who has been writing professionally since 1999. His articles have appeared in "The Washington Post," "Virginia Magazine," "Vermont Magazine," "Adirondack Life" and the "Southern Arts Journal," among other publications. He graduated from the University of Virginia.